For all of my life, it was never a question for me if I would attend college. The steps I had in my head were that I would do well in high school so that I could go to a good college and then have a successful career. When I got to my university I had the privilege of joining a sorority.
Since then I have come to realize that there truly is nothing like being a sorority woman. We are guided by our values and many aspirations. Although we all wear different letters, we are much more the same than we are different.
As most sororities were founded in the 19th century as women were fighting for a college education, our Founders gave us more than an organization at our universities but a place for our gender's voice to be heard. Now, almost 160 years later, we continue to keep the legacy and mission of our Founders alive as more than 200 sorority communities have become official philanthropic partners with Circle of Sisterhood.
With their individual philanthropies, sororities have hugely helped U.S. charities; the Circle of Sisterhood is a way for our entire Greek community to unite as one in order to contribute to the bigger global community.
Together, we can do so much more than we could as individual groups. Across any purpose, creed, or Ritual this philanthropic organization is a means by which sorority women can stand together to provide to their sisters across the world something they value so dearly: an education.
For global issues related to women such as oppression, misogyny, trafficking, and poverty, education is the answer. Research has shown that educated women overcome poverty, impact their economies, have healthier families, are less likely to contract HIV, and more likely to provide longevity to their children.
During a time in which women are still looked down upon, belittled, and oppressed, educated women are more likely to stand up for themselves.
As the organization's founder has stated in her own novel, "Schooling is often a precondition for girls and women to stand up against injustice, and for women to be integrated into the economy."
Since the Circle of Sisterhood was established in 2010 by Ginny Carroll, this movement by sorority women has already impacted 22 countries across 4 different continents.
As of this last year, more than $500,000 was granted, 11 school builds have been funded, and money has been raised for scholarships, libraries, electricity, and more.
As one of the largest, identifiable bodies of college-educated women, it is sorority women's responsibility to provide for those women who are less fortunate. Now it is our turn to stand together for our sisters around the world.
Spread the word, spread your sisterhood.
For more information go to: https://www.circleofsisterhood.org/ or have a discussion with your university's Panhellenic Council today!
